Reconnecting with the Cape's past

Historical Museum’s dinner/dance fund-raiser March 22

March 14, 2014

Cape Coral residents interested in the city's history are invited to attend the Cape Coral Historical Museum's "Those Were the Days" dinner/dance fund-raiser Saturday, March 22, at Palmetto Pine Country Club.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for the pioneers of the community to get together," said museum board president Bonnie Potter. "New residents can come and talk with them and get a sense of our history as well. We are expecting it to be well attended."

Champagne and cocktails will be served starting at 5:30 p.m. with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. Dancing to the live music of Renaissance Smooth Jazz Band follows from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Article Photos

Photo provided

Paul Sanborn, who served as president of the Cape Coral Historical Museum for 10 years, with Miss Cape Coral in the 1960s.

Visitors and prospective property owners in the city's early days frequently paused in front of a welcoming sign.

Gala guests can view videos documenting the city's history as well as visit an area displaying historical items and photos.

The semi-formal event requires tickets to attend. Prices are $50 per person or $90 per couple available by calling the museum at 239-772-7037. Sponsorships are also available for $500 for a table of eight. For those unable to attend, the museum is accepting charitable donations.

"We decided we need to do more of this kind of thing for the museum," said museum curator Anne Cull. "We do several fund-raisers. We depend on volunteers, so we do as many as we can without wearing them down."

The museum's recent Trash & Treasure fund-raiser produced $1,700, but Cull said "Those Were the Days" is expected to become the museum's top fund-raiser of the year.

"It's fun to dress up and go dancing, and besides, the museum could use the money," said Potter, who has been president since January after serving two years on the board. "Cape Coral Community Foundation held a similar gala for years, but stopped when the downturn in the economy began. I thought it was time to resurrect it."

Palmetto Pine Country Club is located at 1940 S.W. 9th Court in Cape Coral.